GNDU will be a role model for other Universities- Javadekar
Amritsar-The aim of education is to nurture human mind and produce quality human resources and it is an indispensable instrument for social change and national development, said Minister of Human Resource Development, Government of India Prakash Javadekar while delivering his convocation address here today at the 44th Annual Convocation of Guru Nanak Dev University which was held in Dashmesh Auditorium of the University.
Two eminent personalities, Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar (Retd.), Former Chief Justice of India and General Bikram Singh (Retd.), Former Chief of Indian Army were honoured with Honoris Causa degrees on this occasion in recognition of their contribution in their respective fields. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jaspal Singh Sandhu welcomed chief guest and other dignitaries.
A large number of eminent personalites, members of Senate and Syndicate of the University, Deans of the Faculties, Faculty Members, and graduating students were present. As many as 711 degrees and 179 medals in various disciplines were conferred on students & scholars.
Congratulating the graduates, researchers and award & medal winners for their academic achievements, Javadekar said that investment in education is largely aimed at bringing economic prosperity for the nation and its people. The design of education should be such that students are able to develop life skills and profesional skills which empower their minds to generate new ideas and take decisions that are good for them and for the nation at large. In context of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s education philosophy, he said education should be used for the benefit of humanity rather than as a tool of exploitation and control. The main objective of education is self- realisation, growth and achievement of full human potential.
He said that SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active –Learning for Young Aspiring Minds), a new programme introduced by Ministry of Human Resource Development and The Government of India to deliver MOOCs (massive open online courses) which is aimed to achieve Access, Equity and Quality and to bring the best teaching and learning resources to everyone’s doorstep, including the underprivileged. This initiative envisions plugging the digital chasm for students who have remained deprived of the educational benefits of IT revolution till now. It expedites hosting of all the courses, taught in classroom from the middle school to the post-graduation level.
Javadekar expressed his happiness to note that Guru Nanak Dev University is one of the few Universities in the first wave to adopt and successfully incorporate MOOC in their core curriculum.
He said that “SWAYAM PRABHA, a group of 32 DTH channels which are devoted to the telecast of high-quality educational programmes 24×7 is another successful effort. New content is updated and added on daily basis with a repeat telecast of 5 times a day, allowing the learner to choose the time at their convenience. He said that Government has been continuously employing new measures to augment knowledge and learning experience by matching the production of quality learning material with the development of latest audio-visual, multimedia and IT infrastructure.
While congratulating the university for getting the status of ‘University with potential for Excellence’ conferred by UGC and being reportedly rated at the highest rank by NAAC with a score of 3.51 on 4 point scale and to be designated as category-I University as per recent approved regulations for graded autonomy by UGC, he said that this will provide more autonomy to the university and more opportunities to fly high and start courses of its own choice and enter into international collaborations. He said that Incubation Centre would be established in the University to cater to the needs of industry.
Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar (Retd.), Former Chief Justice of India said that these honors always come with your dedication, commitment and hardwork. He exhorted the students to work hard in their chosen fields. General Bikram Singh (Retd.), Former Chief of Indian Army said that all of you have dreams to rise in your professional life. These dreams should keep you mentaly awake so that you can achieve them and one should accomplish them by ethical means. He said that one should also be able to adopt to change and adjust oneself to the changing enviornment.
Prof. Sandhu appraised chief guest and others about the activities and achievement of the University in the field of academics, research, culture and sports.
Prof. Karanjit Singh Kahlon, Registrar of the University coordinated the convocation. Vice Chancellor also honored chief guest and other guests with memento on behalf of the University. Prof. Kamaljit Singh, Dean, Academic Affairs presented vote of thanks.
